Kids should play offense this cold and flu season

Supporting a young child through flu season isn’t for the faint of heart! Especially before they’re old enough to understand how important eating a well-balanced and colorful diet is, full of antioxidants. In my experience, it’s always better to play offense now, rather than being forced to play defense later.
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Here are my top immune-boosting tips for little ones (but they apply to adults as well!):⠀
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01 — Cut out sugar. It makes a HUGE difference. Did you know that our blood shows lab evidence of a lowered immune system within minutes of eating refined sugars? Sugar consumption also causes a 50% reduction in your white blood cells’ abilities to kill germs.
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02 — Daily nasal irrigation. Okay, this sounds like a weird one, but it’s VERY important and will hopefully become a new family routine after a busy day at school or any group outings, where lots of germ exposure could happen. Nasal sprays like Xlear prevent bacteria and other pollutants from sticking to nasal tissues and letting illness settle in. “Nose washing” can be just as important as hand washing!⠀
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03 — Supplement with Vitamin D3. There is speculation that rates of illness increase over the winter because of the widespread deficiency of Vitamin D. Studies have shown that people who supplemented with adequate levels of Vitamin D3 during the cold and flu season had significantly lower rates of infection. Rosita Real Foods cod liver oil contains a good proportion of Vitamin D3, for starters — more than plain fish oil contains. ⠀
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04 — Elderberry syrup/extract is magic! I use an Herb Pharm elderberry tincture for Levi (21 months at time of posting) without alcohol or added sugar. Elderberries contain a wealth of Vitamin C and properties that have been shown to prevent colds, as well as shorten the duration and severity of illness if you do contract something. Can be taken daily as a preventative method—don’t just wait until you’re feeling sick!